Sealing device.



P. J. MAGKLIN, G. HARRISON & P. W. TRIMMER. SEALING DEYIGEP APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1910.

Patentd M21117, 1911.

' 04gb WITNESSES; M 9

( JNVENTORS 2 c2 A -Maw 9 'f'" ATTORNEY.

THE NORRIS #:rmas co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

FRANK J. MAOKLIN, CLARENCE HARRISON, AND FRANK W.

TRIMMER, or coLUIvrBns,

OI-IIO.

SEALING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

lle it known that we, F RANK J. MAOKLIN, CLARENCE Emerson, and FRANK TRIM- MER, citizens of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of ()liio, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Sealing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in sealing devices and is adapted especially for application to an electric meter of the ordinary construction. When applied thereto our sealing device can be removed. so as to tamper with the meter only by breaking the key or some other portion thereof, which will at once disclose the fact that a wrongful entry to the meter has been made. The preferred construction thereof will be here inafter fully set forth.

In the drawings attached hereto and hereby made a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a face View of a meter with our sealing device attached thereto. Fig. 2 is an edge view of our sealing device in place as seen from above in Fig. 1 with the detachable member removed. Fig. 3 is a section through the key chamber sh owing the key in place. Fig. l is an edge view of the detachable member. 5 is an edge view of the key partly in section.

Referring to the drawings in which the same numeral refers to the same part throughout, 1 is an electric meter provided with a door or plate 2 having thereon the wing nuts 3 and t securing the door in place. We provide a bar 5 which is cut out at 6 atone end thereof, and has the shoulder 7 adjacent thereto with the inclined channel 8 formed therein for the reception of one of the wings of the nut 3. Reference to Fig. 2 shows a beveled edge of one of the wings of the nut 3 in place in the channel 8 of the shoulder 7, the channel 8 being sloped or inclined to receive the beveled wing. Adjacent to the opposite end of the bar 5 is an elongated opening 9 therethrough, and near its end the bar is provided with the chambered portion 10 having at one end the shoulder 11, and at its other end is formed a shoulder 12. On either side of the elongated opening 9 are formed lugs 13 and 14.

The detachable member 15 shown in detail in Fig. 4 is provided with the chambered portion 16, and the extensions 17 and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 20, 1910.

Patented Mar. 1211.

Serial No. 567,932.

18, and at one end thereof has formed the inclined channel 19, and at the other end is channeled as appears at- 20. A channel corresponding to 20 is formed on the bar 5 at 21.

As shown in Fig. 3, the key member is provided with a head 22, and the extensions 23 and 24: adapted to take into thechannels 20 and 21 when the key is seated. Carried on the inner portion of the key on the extension 25 is the wire spring 26 which is collapsed when the key is pushed into the chamber, and when seated therein expands so that the outer ends thereof engage the shoulder 11 in the chamber on the bar mcniher 5 and the corresponding shoulder 27 formed in the detachable member 15. When the key is positioned, therefore, the parts are locked against separation at the outer end. thereof. In positioning the detachable member 15 the extensions 17 and 18 are slipped into lugs 13 and let on the bar mcmher 5, and thereby the detachable member is prevented from separation both laterally and vertically at that end thereof, and the key prevents separation at the opposite end. Therefore, when the parts are thus disposed the detachable member 15 is locked to the bar member 5. The wing nut l projecting through the opening 9 has one of its wings positioned in the inclined channel 19, and the member 15 being locked, the position of the wing nut .t is fixed.

In positioning the parts the following or der is observed, namely: The wing nuts are turned in the direction shown in 1; the bar 5 is then slipped beneath the wing on the nut 23 until it is positioned as appears; the bar 5 is then lowered over the wing nut 4t; thereupon the detachable member 15 is moved into place beneath one of the wings of the nut t which takes into the channel 19, and at the same time the extensions 17 and 18 slide beneath the lugs 13 and 141-, and thereupon the key 22 is positioned and all the parts are thereby locked together. ft is now impossible to enter the meter without breaking the key 22 which is afrangible key, and the stem 28 thereof is preferably reduced greatly where it joins the head 22, so that the breaking is easily accomplished whenever itis desired to enter the meter for proper purposes.

We do not desire to confine ourselves to the specific construction set forth herein, but

desire to have the advantage of all modifications which lie within the scope of the appended claims.

l/Vhat we claim is:

l. A sealing device comprising a bar member cut out at one end thereof and having an opening therethrough adjacent to the opposite end, extensions formed on said bar member adjacent to the said opposite end, a detachable member adapted to engage said extensions, and a key for locking said members together.

A sealing device comprising a bar member cut out at one end thereof and having a channel formed adjacent to said cut out, and having an opening near its opposite end, extensions formed on said bar member adjacent to said opening, a detachable member formed with lugs adapted to engage said extensions and having a channel formed be tween said lugs adjacentto one end of said letachable member, a securing device in said out out engaging said first mentioned channel, and a second securing device in said opening engaging said second mentioned channel, and a key adapted to lock said members together, whereby said securing de vices are fixed against movement.

3. In combination with a meter having a door or face plate thereon, securing devices positioned therethrough, a bar member having a cut out at one end and an opening adjacent to its opposite end each adapted to receive one of said securing devices and to lock the same against movement, means for fixing said bar in posit-ion on said securing devices, and for preventing the removal of said bar without disclosing the said removal.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. MACKLIN. CLARENCE HARBISON. FRANK XV. TRIMMER. lVit-nesses B. CocKRnLL, CHARLES R. FRANKHAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

